Borough partners secure implementation grant, residents favor ‘North Penn’ name for bike network

Hatfield Borough Council on Nov. 5 heard a presentation from Partnership for Transportation on a grant‑funded bike‑network project that organizers say aims to boost safe cycling and connect local streets to the Liberty Bell Trail.

"The project started back in July 2024 and it will sunset in June 2026," Jackie, executive director of Partnership for Transportation, told council, highlighting recent lane and sharrow installations and ongoing community advisory meetings. She said community input has guided both infrastructure siting and naming questions.

Lucas, a Partnership staff member who presented the draft network map and survey results, said the project received 33 total survey responses (including one in Spanish). "The results of the survey were 15 for bike routes and 14 for greenways," he said, and voting on the geographic name favored regional branding: "North Penn won that vote with 18 votes to 12 for just Hatfield."

Staff said the borough and Hatfield Township were awarded $99,948 from an MCO 2040 implementation grant to pay for project elements; the grant is an 80/20 match, and the municipal match may include in‑kind labor and volunteer time. Council members and presenters discussed how that match could be met through municipal contributions and volunteer assistance.

Presenters also announced a separate William Penn Foundation award to advance the Liberty Bell Trail; they said the southbound connection out of UpperWinn into Norristown was identified in a regional strategic plan as a high‑priority gap. The award officially began Nov. 1, staff said, and Partnership invited council to a Nov. 20 meeting focused on circuit trails and funding opportunities.

Council asked about signage and wayfinding. Lucas said the grant covers off‑road metal signage and on‑road sharrows ("share the road" markings) and that the scope includes directional signs (e.g., "This way to downtown Hatfield," "This way to School Road Park") to help cyclists navigate without stopping to check a phone.

Officials said adopting the 'North Penn' name could make it easier to coordinate future funding and signage across neighboring municipalities. Partnership staff asked council to continue outreach and attend the Nov. 20 partnership meeting; organizers said they will return with more detailed implementation timing and fabrication specifications for directional signs.

Next steps: staff will coordinate the MCO 2040 kickoff (Nov. 12) and return to council with implementation details, sign designs and a recommended plan for municipal match and installation timing.